Donner used Music China 2025 in Shanghai to introduce some of its most ambitious products to date. The spotlight was on two new collaborations with guitar icons MIYAVI and Ruben Wan, alongside expanded electric drum and piano lineups and a glimpse into future instrument tech with the new VIVA stringless smart guitar.
The company also announced wider availability of its HUSH-X PRO headless guitar line, complete with new finishes and bundled software from Steinberg. From pedals designed in partnership with artists to digital instruments built for creators on the go, Donner positioned itself as a brand leaning fully into artist-focused gear and hybrid digital tools.
MIYAVI and Ruben Wan Signature Pedals Take Center Stage
For the first time, Donner and Japanese guitarist MIYAVI unveiled the Double Swords series, a dual release of 3-in-1 effect pedals called Rage Breaker and Dimension Weaver. Rage Breaker includes overdrive, fuzz, and boost circuits, while Dimension Weaver offers chorus, delay, and S-Verb. These pedals are available for pre-order in China and are scheduled for a global debut at NAMM 2026.
Panama-Chinese guitarist Ruben Wan partnered with Donner as well for two signature pedals of his own. The UMBRIA distortion pedal features Classic and Rumble modes for tonal flexibility. The CELESTIA chorus pedal offers Classic and Dream modes for clean modulation and wider stereo expression. Both pedal sets reinforce Donner’s ongoing strategy of building gear directly with working guitarists instead of relying on generic effect designs.
HUSH-X PRO, VIVA Smart Guitar, and New Drum and Piano Releases
Donner’s HUSH-X PRO headless electric guitar gained new colorways this year: Midnight Glow and Premium White. The model also received the Music China Best Recommended New Product Award. Each new HUSH-X PRO now ships with Steinberg’s Cubase LE, Cubasis LE, and WaveLab Cast at no additional cost. Both the HUSH-X PRO and HUSH-I PRO are now fully supported in Cubasis LE 3.
On the digital side, Donner introduced updated electronic drum systems including the BackBeat Pro and Groove Ultra, paired with 40 free lessons through the Melodics learning platform. The OURA S200 digital piano also made an appearance as part of the expanded lineup.
One of the most talked-about launches was the VIVA stringless smart guitar. Built for singer-songwriters and solo performers, VIVA uses sampled instrument sounds and built-in rhythm patterns to simulate a live backing band without physical strings. It is designed for performance, songwriting, and practice in compact environments.
Magnetic byline note: This byline is used for staff produced updates and short announcements, often based on press materials and official release information. Editorial responsibility: David Ireland (Editor in Chief) and Will Vance (Managing Editor). About: https://magneticmag.com/about/ Masthead: https://magneticmag.com/masthead/ Contact: https://magneticmag.com/contact/
